Area News in Brief

Published: Monday, October 6, 2003 at 11:53 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, October 5, 2003 at 11:00 p.m.

HOUMA -- A Houma woman accused of leaving two young children locked inside her car while she shopped Sunday was cited for child desertion, authorities said.

Mouna Bent Omrani, 27, 5467 West Park Ave., faces jail time of up to six months if convicted.

According to police accounts, Omrani left the 18-month-old boy and 3-year-old girl asleep in the silver 2001 Buick while she shopped inside a Martin Luther King Boulevard store. A passerby noticed the preschoolers' predicament and called 911.

Police wouldn't name the store but said witnesses told them the children were left unattended for up to 30 minutes. Sunday's high reached 86 degrees and, when the children were found inside the locked, sealed car about 5 p.m., they were perspiring.

Terrebonne Sheriff Jerry Larpenter said Omrani told police she was unaware that leaving the children in the car was against the law.

Experts warn against leaving children inside vehicles. Even on mild days, temperatures inside cars and trucks can rise to dangerous levels in minutes.

Business deal turns violent

HOUMA -- An auto-parts bargaining session turned violent late Saturday, sending one man to jail and the other to a hospital emergency room, police said.

Terrebonne Sheriff Jerry Larpenter said Jerome Paul Deroche Jr., 22; and Shaun Michael Fabregas, 19; were negotiating the price of a truck bumper outside a convenience store at 6029 Park Ave., when the discussion turned into an argument.

There was a scuffle, and both men fell or were thrown through the plate glass window of the business. At that point, according to deputies' reports, Fabregas left with injuries to one arm but without paying for the gasoline he had pumped into his vehicle.

He returned shortly afterward, paid for the gas and was treated by Bayou Cane Volunteer Fire Department medics before going to the hospital by private car.

Deroche, identified by witnesses as the aggressor, received leg injuries and was treated by medics at the scene, police reported.

Deroche said he and Fabregas fell through the window during the fight, but witnesses said Deroche threw Fabregas through the glass and tried to choke Faberegas on the floor.

Deroche, whose address is listed in deputies' reports as 119 Fairlane Drive, was jailed early Sunday on charges of second-degree battery and simple criminal damage to property. His bail has been set at $10,000.

Exams begin this week at Vandebilt

HOUMA -- First-quarter exams for Vandebilt Catholic High School students will be conducted Tuesday through Friday.

Tuesday's dismissal time will be 9:30 a.m. School will end at 11:20 a.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Students in eighth- through 11th-grade will be given standardized exams Oct. 21. Dismissal on that day will be 11 a.m.

School officials said bus transportation to students' homes will not be provided on exam days. Parents can pick up their children at the school during early-dismissal days.

<p class="bold allcaps">Children allegedly left in hot car</p>
<p>HOUMA -- A Houma woman accused of leaving two young children locked inside her car while she shopped Sunday was cited for child desertion, authorities said.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>Mouna Bent Omrani, 27, 5467 West Park Ave., faces jail time of up to six months if convicted.</p><p>According to police accounts, Omrani left the 18-month-old boy and 3-year-old girl asleep in the silver 2001 Buick while she shopped inside a Martin Luther King Boulevard store. A passerby noticed the preschoolers' predicament and called 911.</p><p>Police wouldn't name the store but said witnesses told them the children were left unattended for up to 30 minutes. Sunday's high reached 86 degrees and, when the children were found inside the locked, sealed car about 5 p.m., they were perspiring.</p><p>Terrebonne Sheriff Jerry Larpenter said Omrani told police she was unaware that leaving the children in the car was against the law.</p><p>Experts warn against leaving children inside vehicles. Even on mild days, temperatures inside cars and trucks can rise to dangerous levels in minutes.</p><h3>Business deal turns violent</h3>
<p>HOUMA -- An auto-parts bargaining session turned violent late Saturday, sending one man to jail and the other to a hospital emergency room, police said.</p><p>Terrebonne Sheriff Jerry Larpenter said Jerome Paul Deroche Jr., 22; and Shaun Michael Fabregas, 19; were negotiating the price of a truck bumper outside a convenience store at 6029 Park Ave., when the discussion turned into an argument.</p><p>There was a scuffle, and both men fell or were thrown through the plate glass window of the business. At that point, according to deputies' reports, Fabregas left with injuries to one arm but without paying for the gasoline he had pumped into his vehicle.</p><p>He returned shortly afterward, paid for the gas and was treated by Bayou Cane Volunteer Fire Department medics before going to the hospital by private car.</p><p>Deroche, identified by witnesses as the aggressor, received leg injuries and was treated by medics at the scene, police reported.</p><p>Deroche said he and Fabregas fell through the window during the fight, but witnesses said Deroche threw Fabregas through the glass and tried to choke Faberegas on the floor.</p><p>Deroche, whose address is listed in deputies' reports as 119 Fairlane Drive, was jailed early Sunday on charges of second-degree battery and simple criminal damage to property. His bail has been set at $10,000.</p><h3>Exams begin this week at Vandebilt</h3>
<p>HOUMA -- First-quarter exams for Vandebilt Catholic High School students will be conducted Tuesday through Friday.</p><p>Tuesday's dismissal time will be 9:30 a.m. School will end at 11:20 a.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.</p><p>Students in eighth- through 11th-grade will be given standardized exams Oct. 21. Dismissal on that day will be 11 a.m.</p><p>School officials said bus transportation to students' homes will not be provided on exam days. Parents can pick up their children at the school during early-dismissal days.</p>